INCONTINENCE FOLLOWING RUPTURE OF THE ANAL-SPHINCTER DURING DELIVERY

Objective: To determine the frequency with which patients report incon tinence of flatus or stool after rupture of the anal sphincter during delivery. Methods: A chart review and telephone interview were conduct ed with 70 primiparas, 35 of whom had rupture of the anal sphincter at delivery and 35 of whom did not. All were contacted 9-12 months postp artum and questioned about the development of incontinence of gas or l iquid or formed stool, persistent dyspareunia, and perineal pain. Resu lts: Incontinence of gas was reported by six women (17%) in the ruptur e group and one (3%) in the control group (P < .05). The incidences of incontinence of stool, both liquid and solid, dyspareunia, and persis tent perineal pain were similar between the groups. Conclusion: Incont inence of flatus was reported six times more often by women who experi enced a third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration than by those with out anal sphincter rupture.